Apparatus for processing rope



Aug. 26, 1947. J. A/ERIKSSON El AL APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING ROPE Filed April 28, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l INENTOR5. fzfrfifssazz F Y Y5.

Aug. 26, 1947. J. A. ERIKSSON ET AL.

APPARATUS FOR lfROGESSfNG ROPE Filed April 28, 1945' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 26, 1947.

J. A. ERiKSSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR PROCESSINGROPE 5 Filed April 28, '1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 26, 1947 APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING ROPE John A. Eriksson and Frants V. Jensen, Detroit,

Mich., assignors to Jensen Specialties, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 28, 1945, Serial No. 590,796

This invention relates to apparatus for processing rope and has for its principal object the provision of apparatus of this type by means of which rope may be impregnatedand dried in a quick and economical manner.

Objects of the invention include the provision of means for submerging rope in a bath of treating composition, then removin it therefrom and drying the rope; the provision of apparatus as above described in which a rope is continuously fed through the treating composition and then over spaced drums where it is dried; the provision of apparatus as above described in which the rope is passed around spaced drums within a bath of the treating composition or solution, the drums being readily removable from the bath for the purpose of applying a new run of rop thereto; the provision of a construction as above described in which the drums in the bath are mounted in a frame and supported at one end only on the frame whereby to provide open ends facilitating the winding of the rope thereon; the provision of a rope treating apparatus including a bath in which the rope is adapted to be treated and a wringer mechanism through which th rope passes after leaving the bath and which serves to remove excessive amounts of the bath material from the rope; the provision of a construction as last described in which the wringing mechanism comprises two pairs of rolls through which the rope passes and means for applying a greater pressure to the rope in passing through one pair of rolls than in passing through the other; the provision of a construction as last described in which the amount of pressure applied between the two pairs of rolls may be readily varied; and the provision of a construction as above described in which the proportional pressure applied by the two pairs of rolls may be readily varied with re spect to each other.

Further objects of the invention include rope drying means comprising a pair of vertically spaced drums and means for passing a plurality of turns of rope about the drums, in combination with means for heating the rope during its passage over the drums to dry the same; the pro- 4 Claims. (CI. 91-46) arranged at each side of the runs of ropes passing over the drums, the heating units being bodily movable toward and from the drums whereby to render the drums readily accessible for' applying a new run of rope thereto; the provision of a construction as above described in which the drums are supported in a frame and the heating units serve to close the opposite open ends of the frame; and the provision of a construction as above described in which the heating units each comprise an open sided hood-like structure each provided with a plurality of infra-red ray lamps arranged to direct the rays therefrom upon the runs of rope travelling over the drying drums and cooperating with the drum supporting frame -to provide'a substantially closed oven structure in which the runs of rope are confined.

The above being among the objects of the present invention the same consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in view.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the present invention and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several diiferent views,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view taken from a side of our improved apparatus showing the same with the heating units in retracted or open position;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the path of movement of the ropes through the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view taken looking generally in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 1 into the upper end of the treating or dipping tank;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken transversely through the treating or dipping tank shown in Fig, 3 as on the lin 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary, transverse sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the means provided for maintaining a tension on the rope'being fed to the drier;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4 and illustrating in greater detail the construction of the wringer mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 'l.1,of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken axially of the drying rolls as on the line '88 of Fig. 1. 1

The present invention deals with mechanism for treating or impregnating rope formed from vegetable fiber with any suitable preserving solution or compound and then drying such rope. In accordance with the present invention the rope is first passed through a bath of the preserving compound, preferably maintained at an elevated temperature to assist in the impregnation of the rope by the bath, the rope is then withdrawn from the bath and passed through wringers whereby to remove the excess solution or composition therefrom, it is then passed through a drying apparatus of novel construction to cause the rope to be quickly dried.

The rope is, of course, fed continuously through the apparatus and in passing through the bath of preserving solution or compound it is caused to travel in a plurality of turns over a pair of spaced parallel rolls submerged in the bath. These rolls are mounted on a frame which can be withdrawn from the bath to facilitate the application of a new run of rope thereon and to further facilitate the application of a new run of rope thereon the rolls are supported from the frame at one end only so as to leave the opposite ends unobstructed for the winding operation. The rope being withdrawn from the bath is passed through wringers of novel construction in order to remove excess solution or composition therefrom and is then passed in a p u a ty of t r s over a pair of vertically spaced rolls during which it is applied to the hope in order to dry the solution or composition with which it has been impregnated.

The rope to be treated and indicated in the drawings generally at is usually received from the rope manufacturer in the form of spools 12 as illustrated in Fig. 1. If desired these spools l2 may be mounted on a suitable rotatable support or spindle to permit the rope I!) to be readily reeled therefrom or if desired, and as has been found convenient, the spool l2 may be simply placed on end as illustrated in Fig. 1 in a position to permit the rope to be withdrawn axially upwardly therefrom. It will be understood that the rope H] is of a conventional type formed from vegetable fibers, such as hemp or the like, and is to be treated by a preservative or other material the purpose of which may, for instance, be to protect the rope against rotting, mold, insect or other enemies, to increase its strength or for any one or more of these purposes. Such preservative materials are applied in liquid form and in most cases will be applied in the form of a solution of a solid dissolved in a suitable solvent. Accordingly, for the purpose of simplicity in description the impregnating material regardless of its character will hereinafterbe referred to as an impregnating or treating solution. It will thus be understood that in order to protect the rope it first must be impregnated with such solution and then dried, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a means by which this may be expeditiously accomplished.

In order to impregnate the rope with the solution the rope is withdrawn from the spool I2 and passed through a bath of the solution contained within a tank M. .This tank as brought out in Figs. 1, 3, and 4 consists of a tank having a sheet metal sides, ends and bottom and provided with angle iron corners l6 which project down below the bottom of the tank to provide legs which support the tank a material distance above the floor. The impregnation of the rope with the solution is facilitated, by maintaining the solution in a hot or warm condition but at a temperature, of course, below that at which a deleterious effect on the fibers of the rope may occur. While in the broader aspects of the invention any suitable means may be provided for maintaining the solution in the tank 14 at an elevated temperature, a preferable method is to mount a plurality of infra-red ray lamps such as l8 below the tank and within the area bounded by the legs It, the lamps being arranged to di rect the rays therefrom against the bottom wall of the tank thereby to heat the same. Preferably the infra-red ray lamps l8 are arranged with their faces projecting through a shield 20 so as to protect the wiring therefor below the shield against reflection of heat discharged by the lamps 18. In order to confine the heat discharged by the lamps l8 against the bottom of the tank i4 sheet metal shields or panels 22 are extended between the legs it from the bottom of the tank M to a point adjacent the floor as shown.

In order to properly impregnate the rope H3 with the treating solution it is, of course, necessary that the rope be immersed in the solution for an appreciable time element and the impregnation is also enhanced by working the rope while submersed in the solution. Both of these features are accomplished by providing a plurality of turns of the rope it about a pair of rolls 24 submerged in the solution so that each increment of length of the rope as it passes through the tank M is caused to travel over the developed length of all of the turns and in being bent repeatedly about the rolls is simultaneously worked.

The rolls 2 are arranged with their axes horizontal and parallel with each other and preferably on the same level with each other as shown. Each roll E l is supported on a shaft 26 and the shafts 28 are supported at one end only in a frame which will now be described. This frame includes a pair of parallel and laterally spaced curved frame members 28 preferably of T=section as shown. The frame members 28 are arranged with the lower ends thereof directed vertically and with the upper ends thereof directed horizontally in the same direction as shown. The lower ends of the members 28 are rigidly secured together by means of a horizontallyextending bar 38 rigidly secured to eachthereof as by welding. The ends of the bar 318 proj ect'laterally beyond each of the frame members 28 and the shafts 25 project through the corresponding ends and are rigidly fixed there to. As brought out in Fig. 4 the rear or lefthand end of the shafts 26 project outwardly be' yond the bar 35) and beyond the rear edge of the frame member 28.

The upper free ends of the frame members 28 are connected together by means of a transversely extending angle member 32. Spaced outwardly from the angiemember 32, or to the right as viewed in Fig. 4, is an elongated plate or bar member 34 formingan arm. As broughtout in Fig. 3 the arm 34 is inclined downwardly to the right. Its lefthand end portion as viewed in Fig. 3 is rigidly fixed with respect to the angle member :32 by means of a bracket 36 fixed both to it and to the angle member 32 as by welding or the "like. The opposite or righthand end of the arm 34is rigidly fixed to the frame b'y'means of an angle member 38, the rear or lefthand end of which as viewed in Fig. 4, is rigidly secured to the righthand frame member 28 as viewed in Fig. 3 and extends therefrom outwardly into contactwith the righthand end of the arm 24 to which it is rigidly secured by welding or the like. The outer end of the member 38 is braced from the angle 32 by means of a vertical member 46 between it and the angle member 32 and rigidly secured to both thereof as by welding or the like. The member 48 has an additional function which will hereinafter be brought out.

It will also be noted that below the angle member 38 and slightly below the plane of the upper edges of the rolls 24 an additional angle member 42 is extended outwardly in parallel relation with respect to the member 38 and is rigidly secured as by welding at its inner end to the same frame member 28 that the member 38 is secured to. The angle member 42 is provided with a plurality of preferably equally spaced pins 44 pro-. jecting upwardly from its upper surface to above the plane of the upper edges of the rolls 24. The purpose of the pins 44 is to guide the turns of rope l8 passing over the rolls and to keep the various turns separated from each other axially of the rolls.

Positioned between the arm 34 and the angle member 32 is a channel sectioned arm 46 which is pivotally connected to the arm 34 for movement in a vertical plane about the axis of a pin or bolt 48 as best brought out in Fig. 6. The pin or bolt 48 carries a roller 49 (see Fig. 6) against which the rope being processed bears, and which is provided to prevent the ropefrom rubbing on the pin 48. As indicated in this last figure both the arms 34 and 46 are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 50 therein through any cooperating pair of which the pivot pin 48 may be projected, the pin 48 in the particular arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6 being received in those pairs of holes closest to the lefthand end of the arm 34 and most remote from the righthand end thereof.

The lefthand end of the arm 34 carries a relatively narrow roll 52 for rotation about a horizontally. extending axis perpendicular to the plane of thickness of the arm 34. A similar roll 54 is rotatably carried by the righthand end of the arm 34. A similar roll 56 is rotatably carried by the lefthand end of the arm 46 directly below the roll 52, and an additional similar roll 58 is rotatably supported by the arm 45 directly above the roll 54. It will be understood that the rolls 52 and 56 are arranged with their planes of thickness vertically, aligned as brought out in Fig. 7 and the rolls 54 and 58 are similarly aligned. The rolls 52, 54, 56 and 56, as brought out in Fig. 7, are circumferentially grooved, such grooves being partially circular in section and preferably of a radius equivalent to the radius of the rope being treated.

It will be noted from an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4 that the arm 46 bears against the outer face of the member 46 serving to connect the angle 32 with the angle member 38 and the member 46 thus serves to aid in guiding the arm 46 in its pivotal movement about the pivot pin 48. As brought out in Fig. 3 the arm 46 projects to the right outwardly beyond the corresponding end of the tank 14 which end has fixed thereto a pair of spaced verticall extendin angle irons 69 between which the arm 46 is relatively closely but slidably received, thereby to provide an additional means for guiding the arm 46 in its pivotal movements about the axis of the pin 48. As brought out in Fig. 1, the outer end of the arm 46 is provided with a weight 62 mounted thereon for slidable movement'longitudinally thereof, a set screw/"64 being provided in the weight 62 for look ing it to the arm 46 in any position of such adjustment. Shifting of the weight 62 on the arm 46 will vary the wringing action of the last-mentioned rolls on the rope passing between them. It will be understood that the effect of the weight 62 is to pivot the arm 46 in such direction as to cause the rolls 54 and 58 to be urged toward one another and the rolls 52 and 56 to also be urged toward one another.

As best brought out in Fig, 3 an angle iron 66 is fixed to the righthand end of the tank adjacent th near corner thereof and projects vertically therefrom. At its upper end it rotatably supports a sheave 68 arranged with its axis horizontal. Below the sheave 68 the angle iron 66 carries a bracket 74 provided with an opening 12 therein in vertical alignment with the outer or righthand edge of the sheave 68. l

With the above described construction the rope H) from the spool I2 is passed up through the opening 12 in the bracket 18, over the sheave 68, and then down under the righthand roll 24. From the righthand roll 24 it extends to and under the lefthand roll 24, and then upwardly around the lefthand roll 24 and across the top of the righthand roll 24, in repeated sequence, it thus being wound around the rolls 24 in a plu rality of turns, shown in the drawings as seven by way of illustration. After passin up over the lefthand roll 24 the last time the rope I0 is led under the roll 54 and around the roll 54 between it and the roll 58, then between the rolls 52 and 55. A guard 13 carried by the righthand end of the arm 34 acts to prevent the rope ID from becoming inadvertently disengaged from the roll 54.

The rope i5 is pulled through the apparatus above described and in passing over the rolls 24 the upper runs of the turns of rope are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other by means of the pins 44 between which the upper runs extend. Because of the number of runs of rope on the drums 24 a relativelygreat length of rope is submerged in the solution within the tank l4, so that although the rope H] may be withdrawn from the treating tank I4 at a relatively rapid rate each increment of length thereof is in fact subjected to the solution fora material length of time sufficient to result in the desired impregnation of the rope with the solution. The heating of the solution, of course, facilitates this impregnation as previously mentioned.

In withdrawing the rope I!) from the apparatus thus described the rope in in passing between the rolls 54 and 58 is squeezed and relieved of the bulk of the free solution which is clingin to it, and in further passingbetween the rolls 52 and 56 it is further squeezed to remove further amounts of the solution from the rope. Thus the rolls 54 and 58 and the rolls 52 and 56 actin the nature of wringer rolls to squeeze excess amounts of the treating solution from the rope thereby to facilitate the drying of the rope. In this respect it will be appreciated that under the conditions shown, and particularly with relation to Fig. 6 which indicates that the lever arms carrying the rollers 52 and 56 are considerably shorter than the lever arms carrying the rollers 54 and 58, a greater amount of pressure will be exerted on the ropes by the rolls 52 and 56 than by the rolls 54 and 58. This will usually be found preferable inasmuch as by the time the rope reaches the rolls 52 and 58the greater proportion of the free solution clinging to the rope aseeges will already have been removed by the rollers 54 and 513, and a more thorough wringing operation will, therefore, result. However, the wringing effect between the two pairs of rollers ma be readily varied by shifting the pivot pin 48 from the set of holes 50 shown to either of the other sets of holes 50 to the right thereof .so as to get any desired relation between the wringing effect of the two sets of rollers. In so shifting the pivot point at least some of the rolls will be required to be replaced by similar rolls of a different diameter so as to maintain both sets of rolls operative, but this is readily done.

Where operation of the apparatus is continuous then when the end of one spool of rope is reached the end. of a new spool may be attached thereto and carried on through the apparatus in the same manner as if the rope was endless. Additionally, where it is desired to stop the operation of a machine for a material length of time without permitting the rope to soak in the treatingsolution a lead wire or dummy rope may be attached to the end of the last spool of rope to be treated and run through the length of the -apparatus before the apparatus is stopped, the

end of the next spool to be treated then being attached to the tail end of the lead wire or dummy rope when the apparatus is again started up to thus eliminate the necessity of re-threading the new rope through the apparatus. However, there are bound to be instances where it is necessary to re-thread a rope and to facilitate this threadlng operation and particularly to eliminate the necessity of draining the tank I4 under such conditions, the rolls 24 and their supporting and associated mechanism are preferably arranged as a unit capable of being readily and bodily removed from the tank I4.

In order to accomplish this last feature and as best brought out in Fig. 3 a pair of angle irons 14 are secured to the inner faces of the side walls of the tank I4 in line with each end of each of the shafts 2B, the angle irons of each pair being arranged in back-to-back relationship with their opposed flanges in parallel relation with respect to each other and spaced from one another by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the shafts 28. The shafts 26 are of a length slightly less than the width of the tank I4 and the ends of the shafts 26 are received between'the flangesof each of the corresponding pairs of angle irons I4 which thus serve as vertical guides therefor. Therefore, each unit comprising'the rolls 24, the supporting frame therefor, the arms 34 and 46 and all interconnected parts are vertically removable from the tank I4- and are likewise receivable therein. Advantage of this construction is taken in order to locate this unit at a predetermined Vertical position in the tank I4 and this means comprises angle shaped brackets 16 which are suitably fixed as by welding or the like within the channel provided by each cooperating pair of angle irons I4 at a distance above the bottom of the tank at which it is'desired' to locate the shafts 2%. This is brought out in Fig. 4. It will also be appreciated that the provision of the brackets 16 serve in a measure as a means for supporting the free ends of the shafts 26 during operation. Cooperation between the ends of the shafts and the angle irons l4 positively lock the unit against movement longitudinally of the tank I4. Preferably the an- I gle member 32 is provided with a hole or slot '18 therein by means of which a hook such as 8&1, illustrated in Fig. 4, and carried, for instance,

by a chain fall or the like may be attached to the unit for raising it out of the tank I4 or for depositing it therein.

It is to be particularly noted that when the unit thus described is removed from the tank I4 the outer ends of the drums 24 are free and unrestrictedby cross-members or the like so that a workman may project his hand into the unit and over and under the rollers 24 to thread the rope Ill thereon in a quick and easy manner.

After the rope I!) has been impregnated by the solution in the tank I4 and then passed through the wringing rollsit is then passed to the drier portion of the device. This portion of the device may, if desired, be fixed with respect to the tank It so as to form a unitary part of the impregnating part of the apparatus. As brought out in Figs. 1 and 8 the drier portion comprises a framework consisting of a pair of laterally spaced and parallel bottom angle members Ifiil which maybe suitably supported as, for instance, directly upon the floor as shown in Fig. 1. The angles I08 are arranged with one flange in fiat contacting relationship with respect to-the floor or other supporting surface and the remaining flange at the outer edge thereof and directed vertically as [best brought out in Fig. 8. The angle members I00 are suitably connected together in fixed relationship by means of a plurality of cross-members I532 extending therebetween and fixed to both thereof. Midway the length of each angle member I00 and fixed to the inner face of the vertically directed flange thereof as, for instance, by welding or the like is a vertically directed plate member I04, the plate members Hi l being transversely aligned with one another and extending in parallel relation with respect to each other. The plates I04 may be rigidly connected together across their top by means of a plate member such as H16 arranged with its plane of thickness horizontal as shown in Fig. 1 thus to serve as a motor support as will hereinafter be more clearly brought out. plate member E66 has fixed to its outer face a pair of bearing blocks I08, the block I08 on each plate I84 being vertically spaced from-and vertically aligned with each'other, the lower blocks I08 on both plates I04 being axially aligned with each other as are'the upper blocks I08 on each plate member IE4.

'Rotatably supported between each aligned pair of bearing blocks I138 is a shaft H9. Carried by each shaft I!!! is a drum I I-2 fixed thereto for equal rotation therewith. Thus the drums H2 are vertically aligned with one another Each plate member :94 has its upper end braced with respect to the angle members Itafil by means of angle members H4. Each angle member H4 is connected at its upper end'to the upper end of the corresponding plate member I04 and extends at an angle downwardly and away from the plate member I84 to a point at or adjacent the corresponding outer endof the corresponding angle member IElil to which it is suitably fixed. Preferably the upper ends of'the plate members IU4-are cut away on an angle corresponding with the angle of the brace members H4 and plate members such as IE6 extend between the plate members IM- across such angular portions as illustrated in Fig. 1, not only to serve with the plate Itfi as a roof over the drums or rolls I I2 but also to aid in rigidifying the structure.

In vertical alignment with each angle member I00 and-at a point slightly below the axis of the upper shaftl I0 an angle member I I8 is extended Each ' 9 horizontally, as viewed in Fig. 1, from the lefthand members I I4 to the right beyond the end of the angle members I00. There outer or righthand ends as viewed in Fig, 1 are supported by vertical legs I20 one of which extends upwardly from the corresponding end of each of the angle members I60 and is rigidly secured to both. A diagonal brace member I22 serves to brace the righthand ends of the angles H8 against lateral movement. The extreme righthand ends of the angles H8 are braced by angle members I24 extending from their outer ends to the legs I20 at a point belw the upper ends of the latter. The righthand or free ends of the angles II6 are also braced by an interconnecting angle member I26 which also serves an additional purpose which will hereinafter be explained.

It will be noted and as brought out in Fig. 1 that the drying apparatus is arranged with its length parallel to the length of the tank I4 and with the last described ends of the angle members II8 overlying the adjacent end of the tank I4. The adjacent end wall of the tank I4 is extended upwardly as at I28 to a point adjacent the angle members I I 8 to serve as a shield and the far side of the tank member I4 as viewed in Fig. 1 is similarly extended as at I30 for the same purpose.

Rotatably supported upon the angles I26 at the righthand end of the angles I I8 at the upper end of the framework for the drying mechanism and substantially vertically above the wringer rolls 52 and 66 and at the far side of the framework as illustrated in Fig. l is a sheave I 32 over which the rope I0 from the wringer rolls 52 and 56 is trained. The rope in passing over the sheave I32 extends toward the center of the drying apparatus and is trained over another sheave I34 located immediately above the upper roll or drum II2 adjacent the far end thereof as viewed in Fig. 1 and in a position to feed the rope I0 thereover downwardly to the near edge or side of the upper drum I I2 as viewed in Fig. 1. This particular run of rope is housed in a suitably supported downwardly opening channel sectioned housing I35.

From the sheave I34 the rope I0 extends downwardly and then is wound around the drums H2 in a plurality of loops and finally is led off of the upper drum to a sheave I36 suitably mounted on the righthand plate member I IS, a hole I 38 being provided in such plate member I I6 to permit the passage of the rope therethrough. The rope I0 extends horizontally to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 from the sheave I36 over a sheave I40 fixed to a shaft I42 rotatably supported by a bracket I 44 fixed to and projecting upwardly from the angle member I26 connecting the free ends of the angles II8. From the sheave I40 the rope I 0 may be directed to an suitable point of reception, here shown as a barrel I46 positioned on the floor immediately below the sheave I 46 and into which the rope I0 may be coiled as it is discharged from the apparatus.

The rope is caused to travel through the apparatus described in the following manner. On the top plate I 06 of the drying portion of the apparatus an electric motor I56 is mounted and drives through a speed reducing mechanism including chains I52 and I54 and a pair of cooperating sprockets, indicated generally at I66 and rotatably mounted upon the plate I 66, to a sprocket I58 which. as best illustrated in Fig. 8 is fixed to the righthand end of the upper shaft I I0, thereby to drive the shaft I I0; and itscorresponding drumor rollI I2. .4 As brought out'in Fig.: 8 each shaft I I 0 has preferably fixed thereto a smaller sprocket I60 in vertical alignment with each other and connected together by means of a chain I62. Thus the shafts I I0 and their drums or rolls II2 are driven'at uniform speeds of rotation and inasmuch as they are of identical size and construction, at corresponding peripheral speeds. The friction of the various turns of rope I0 0n the drum rolls I I2 is sufficient to draw the rope I0 through the mechanism in the tank I4 previously described and to cause it to travel about the drums or rolls I I2.

In order to keep the rope I0 relatively taut on the drum rolls II2 the sheave I40 is rotated at a slightly greater peripheral speed than the peripheral speeds of the drums or rolls H2 and this is accomplished as follows. As brought out in Fig.1 the near end of the upper shaft I I0 projects through the corresponding plate I04 and has mounted thereon a pulley I64. The near end of the shaft I42 which carries the sheave I40 has mounted thereon a pulley I66 which is of a smaller diameter than the pulley I64. A cross-belt I68 connects the pulleys I64 and I66 thereby to drive the pulley I66 at a greater peripheral speed than the peripheral speeds of the rolls or drums II2.

In order to insure the sheave I40 exerting a constant pull on the rope I0 tending to withdraw it from the drums II 2 an arm H0 is pivotally connected at one end to the bracket I44 for movement in a vertical plane and in outwardlyspaced relation with respect to the pivotal axis thereof carries a roller H2. The outer or free end of the arm I10 is provided with a weight I14 thereon which tends to urge the roller I'I2 downwardly against the rope I0 passing over the sheave I40. As brought out in Fig. 5 the peripheral portion of the roll "2 is relatively narrow and tends to imbed the rope I0 passing over the sheave I40 into the peripheral groove of the sheave I40 and thus increase the frictional engagement of the rope I0 therewith. Thus although the rope I0 must necessarily slip in the peripheral groove of the sheave I40 due to the greater peripheral speed of the sheave I40 as compared to the peripheral speed of the drums I I2, there is suflicient friction exerted between the sheave I40 and the rope I0 to constantly maintain the rope I0 between the sheave I40 and the drums II2 under tension. As will be appreciated this has a tendency to prevent slack from developing in the various turns of rope around the drums I I2.

The rope I0 in passing over the drums I I2 is dried and in drying it necessarily shortens in length to a material extent. In order to compensate for this shortening action the rolls or drums H2 and as brought out in Fig. 8 are tapered in diameter from their righthand end to their lefthand end as viewed in Fig. 8, that is from the end thereof which first receives the rope from the tank I4 toward that end thereof from which the rope is discharged in dry condition. The taper of the drums or rolls H2 is such, as determined from experience, as to maintain a substantially constant tension on the various turns of the rope I0 about the drums or rolls I I2 in spite of the shortening of the rope during drying. This is an important feature as it has been found that unless a substantially constant tension on all of the turns of the rope passing over the drums or rolls H2 is maintained an unsatisfactory operation will result.

Inorder :to maintain the various turns of rope 7 passing over the drums'o'r rolls H2 in properly spaced relation-with respect to each other axially of the drums or rolls a pair of angle irons I89 are secured to the inner face of each of the plate members I9 3. The angles; ISO-secured to each plate member I94 are vertically directed and, arranged with one flange thereof in flat contacting relationship with the corresponding plate IMand the remaining flange thereof projecting inwardly therefrom. The angles I89 on each-plate-member I04 are spaced from each other horizontally by a distance-slightly greater-than the diameters of the drums or rolls IIZ. A barmember I82 isextended between the angles I89 on that side of the drums or rolls H2 where the turns of the rope I move downwardly, and it is located immediately above the lower drum H2. The bar member I82 is provided with a plurality of pins I 34 which project inwardly therefrom to between the various turns of the rope IO- on such side of the drum. A similar bar member I36 is extended between the remaining angles I89 and adjacent the upper drum or roll I I2 and is provided with similar pins I88 similarly projecting between c0rresponding turns of the rope Ill.

While in the broader aspects of the invention the particular means employed for applying heat to the turns of rope Ill extending over the drumsor rolls H2 is more orless immaterial, in accordance with a more limited phase of the present invention a novel means is provided for effecting this drying action. This means comprises a pair of units indicated in Fig. 1 generally at I99, one positioned oneach side of the rolls I-I2. Each drying unit I99 comprises a framework enclosed; except at its bottom and that side facing the rolls II2, with a suitable sheathing and each is provided at its bottom with rollers I192 resting on the bottom flanges of: the angle members I99. The rollers I92 support the units I89 for rolling movement-on the angle members I09 toward and from the central portion of the device carryingthe rolls or drums H2. Each unit I9Ii-is provided with heating means for applying heat to the rope- IIJ on the rolls H2. In the particular case shown the heating means comprises a plurality of inrra-red ray lamps I94 arranged to direct the raystherefrom towards the turns of rope, over'the rolls or drums I I2. Each unit Q99 is of such height and width that when it is rolled up into contact with the central portion of the device its inner edges cooperate with the plate members IM to providea substantially closed oven within which the turns of rope on the rolls or drums H2 are situated.

The faces of the infra-red ray lamps I94 in each unit IE9 project through corresponding apertures formed in a sheet metal shield I96 mounted therein. As brought out in Fig. 1 the lower end of. each shield I95 terminates shortof the floor. As also indicated in Fig. 1 the sheathing for the. back face of each unit I90 stops short of the upper end of such unit so as to provide an opening I 98 through which air may enter the unit back of the corresponding shield I95.. An exhaust fan I980 mounted on the upper plate I96 and operatively connected to the motor I59 for driving movement therefrom has its suction connection connected into the space below the roof portion of the device so as to withdraw air therefrom. When the units I 90 are moved up into operative relationship with respect to the plate members I94 so as to provide an enclosingoven for the turns of rope extending over the drums II2 and the fan I980 is operated it serves to draw air through the openings I98, downwardly over the rear portions of the infra-red ray lamps I94 and the-wiring therefor within each unit I99, then under the lower ends of the shields I95 and upwardly around the turns of rope ID on the drums or rolls I I2, and is then exhausted from th device. Such air in passing down over the rear portions of the infra-red ray lamps I96 serves to cool and extract heat therefrom and this in connection with the heat applied to the turns. of rope by the direct rays from the infrared ray lamps I94 serves to quickly and effectively withdraw the volatilizable ingredient of the treating solution from the rope I9 and to effect a quick drying of th same, but without subjecting the rope I9, to such temperature as may adversely affect it.

It may be noted and as brought out in Fig. 1 that a control box 299 is preferably mounted upon the outer face of one of the members I04 and it isconnected by a flexible cable 292 with the units I99, thus permitting the units I90 to be-moved'toward or from operative position without requiring the disconnecting of any circuits.

It will be appreciated that the ability to move 7 the units I99 to and from operative relationship with respect to the various turns of rope passing over the rollers or drums II2 permits the drying apparatus to be opened up so that a workman may conveniently work on the rolls or drums II2 to thread the rope I9 about them, or to make any repair or adjustment on any portion of the device without interference from other portions thereof. This feature is, of course, of great convenience in the servicing of the drying apparatus shown.

Having thus described our invention, what we;

claim by Letters Patent is:

1. Rope treating apparatus comprising, in combination, a tank adapted to receive a body of rope treating liquid, a framework removably received in said tank, a pair of rolls, means for supporting said rolls on said frame in spaced and parallel relation with respect to each other, said means being connected at one end only to said frame whereby to leave the opposite ends of said rolls free.

2. In a rope treating apparatus, in combination, a tank adapted to contain a body of rope treating liquid, a pair of rolls rotatably mounted in said tank with their axes in spaced and parallel relation with respect to. each other and over which a plurality of turns of rope are adapted to be wound, and wringer mechanism adapted to receive rope discharged from. said rolls and remove excess liquid therefrom comprising a fixed arm carrying a wringer roll on each end thereof, a movable arm pivoted to said fixed arm intermediate the ends thereof, rolls on said second arm cooperating with said rolls on said first-mentioned arm to squeeze the rope passed therebetween, said second-mentionedarm haVing an extended end portion, and means cooperating with said extended end portion tending to urge the last-mentioned wringer rolls toward engagement with the first-mentioned wringer rolls.

3. In a rope treating apparatus, in combination, a tank adapted to contain a body of rope treating liquid, a pair of rolls rotatably mounted in said tank with their axes in spaced and parallel. relation with respect to each other and over which a plurality of turns of rope are adapted to be wound, and wringer mechanism adapted to receive rope discharged from said rolls and remov excess liquid therefrom comprising a fixed arm carrying a wringer roll on each end thereof, a movable arm pivoted to said fixed arm intermediate. the ends, thereof; rolls on said second 13 arm cooperating with said rolls on said firstmen'tioned arm to squeeze the rope passed therebetween, said second-mentioned arm having an extended end. portion, and means cooperating with said extended end portion tending to urge the 1ast-mentioned wringer rolls toward engagement with the first-mentioned wringer rolls, said pivotal connection between said arms being closer to one cooperating pair of said wringer rolls than to the other thereof whereby to efiect a more severe wringing action on the rope passing through one of said pair of wringer rolls than through the other thereof.

4. In rope treating apparatus, in combination, a tank adapted to receive a body of rope treating liquid, a frame removably received by said tank, a pair of rolls arranged with spaced parallel axes rotatably supported by said frame for submersion in said liquid in said tank, an arm fixed with respect to said frame above said rolls, a second arm pivotally mounted on the first-mentioned arm intermediate the ends thereof, cooperating pairs of wringer rolls carried by said arms on each side of said pivotal point of said second arm and between which rope discharged from the 14 first-mentioned rolls is adapted to pass, and means cooperating with the second-mentioned arm tending to urge said rolls toward contact with one another. I

JOHN A. ERIKSSON. FRANTS V. JENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,312,954 Cook Aug. 12, 1919 1,168,542 Nehring Jan. 18, 1916 2,266,392 Durant et a1 Dec. 16, 1941 775,684 Shugg Nov. 22, 1904 839,191 Passburg Dec. 25, 1906 2,093,914 Janssen Sept. 21, 1937 2,207,925 Kinne July 16, 1940 2,050,483 Brown Aug. 11, 1936 1,443,971 Anderson Feb. 6, 1923 721,630 Willard Feb. 24, 1903 2,217,337 Edwaldson et a1. Oct. 8, 1940 46,405 Tice Feb. 14, 1865 

